Poster: A snowHead
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Hello, I am looking for ideas for next year. Family of 5 2 adults (one boarder) with 3 kids 17 / 13 / 11 all experienced and happy on most reds and blacks. We have recentrly been to Courcheval / Alpe D Huez and Andorrra. Looking ro go next year to Alps France/Italy/Austria (not half term) in February or March. Can anyone recommend somewhere with inexpensive halfbaoard accommodation, ski in out is nice but to keep costs sensible I dont mind staying lower down and getting a gondola up to the slopes. Plan would be to fly then bus / train to resort. I have used Crystal alot and also done it seperately myself, It seems last minute deals with Crystal can be good? Any suggestions welcome, thank you.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@surferireland, I suspect the absence of responses is because you don't give us much clue as to what sort of skiing you enjoy, as opposed to what your ability is.
For example, if you all relished the huge mileage of the Three Valleys then obvious suggestions would be Paradiski in France, or the Sella Ronda in Italy, or the big pass Austrian resorts.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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j b wrote: |
@surferireland, I suspect the absence of responses is because you don't give us much clue as to what sort of skiing you enjoy, as opposed to what your ability is.
For example, if you all relished the huge mileage of the Three Valleys then obvious suggestions would be Paradiski in France, or the Sella Ronda in Italy, or the big pass Austrian resorts. |
Would all of those tick the inexpensive HB accommodation requirement? Post pandemic my experience is of very significant hotel price hikes, in part to get staff willing to work in hospitality.
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@surferireland, I held off replying because I don’t really have the experience of the type of trip you are asking about.
Mrs JHS does not ski which means that over the years I have taken 4 children alone. I have found in my experience that self catering has worked best. That is not to say doing a lot of cooking myself. But the money saved on a hotel gives a lot of scope for eating out.
Ski Welt would probably suit very well. Some resorts in the Ski Welt are more accessible by train but Ellmau is good as there is the Kaiserbad Leisure Centre as well as a lot of suitable terrain.
Dolomites would suit. But maybe avoid Fasching Carnevale week. Fly to Verona / Milan / Bergamo or similar and hire an estate car.
I know. This does not fit at all with your original requests, but it is what has worked for me
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Thank you for the suggestions much appreciated , I'll get a closer look tomorrow.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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Be aware that the French "half term" holidays stretch over 4 weeks, from second week of February to first week of March. First week of February or second week of March would be good timing. If cost is a major consideration driving will be cheaper for 5 people, if you have a family-sized vehicle. Yes, self-catering will be much cheaper. Being able to have breakfast, snacks, tea, coffee, alcohol, at supermarket prices saves a packet, even if you eat out in the evenings. If you go to France, mid-March would be ideal.
In France, Paradiski is one obvious option.
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La Thuile , Italy doesn’t get overly affected by Feb Holidays on the Italian side , much better value than France but still good access to a fairly large cross border lift system with the option if day to trip to Courmayuer . I’m a bit like a broken record about La Thuile at the moment but I really do think it’s an excellent place alternative from France for a family holiday especially during school hols . Good snow record too
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In terms of what we are looking for
1. Aiming to keep the following to a minimum - ski hire (usually €100 pp) / lift pass / airport to resort transfer costs & accommodation - would consider self catering or halfboard
2. Not massively fussy about destination want decent snow with sufficent scope for a weeks skiing / boarding.
2. We like to make the first lift in the morning and last at the end of the day - family are very fit, hardy and active.
3. Do like to have a drink or lunch on the mountain but do not care about apres ski.
4. Coming from Ireland so driving isnt really realistic as ferry costs are huge. Flights from Dublin tend to be good value.
5. Am flexible on when as we are going to pull them from school for this one (its frowned upon but no fines here).
Thanks again.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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La Thuile came out top or near top when the Telegraph rated a long list of resorts for lower cost (an article earlier this season).
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@surferireland, I always hear plenty of Irish voices in La Thuile so must be easy to do should be worth checking out ,tour ops etc , flights to Turin 1.5 hr away .
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Been looking at La Thuile this morning it ticks all the boxes thanks for the advice. Would yous recommend late January or early March for this one?
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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@surferireland, sorry, wasn't paying attention when I suggested driving. But you might find renting a car is competitive with transfers. Car rental is cheap from Italian airports and Turin is an easy drive to La Thuile.
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surferireland wrote: |
Been looking at La Thuile this morning it ticks all the boxes thanks for the advice. Would yous recommend late January or early March for this one? |
I'd go early March, weather often a bit better. La Thuile is a great place to ski but can get a bit cool and breezy, good snow when I've been in March.
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You know it makes sense.
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@surferireland,
If early March I'd still recommend avoiding the French school holidays.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Tignes gives you loads of options for reasonable Self Catering and you've got the whole Tignes / Val D'Isere area to play in. Everything from low down tree routes to glacier riding.
Les Arcs also a great shout. We stayed in one of the Aparthotels in 1800 a few years back and that was the best of both worlds. B&B but full kitchen in the apartment so hotel breakfast but supermarket snacks and the option to either eat in, go to the hotel restaurant or head out.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Thank you for all the advice! After considering everything, My wife and I had such a great time in January that we booked ADH again. This time, we'll be staying in a self-catering Airbnb and have arranged for a private transfer. We're planning to go from February 1st to February 9th, which gives us an extra day on the slopes. Staying near the outdoor pool. Hopefully almost ski in and out.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@surferireland, sounds good. Let everyone know on here how it goes with a Trip Report?
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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@surferireland, oh...and from ADH, good opportunity for a day trip to Serre Chevalier, which I think is well worthwhile. Do the lift companies still offer reciprocal cheap lift ticket arrangements between those two areas? Or do they try to keep you 'captive' these days?
Even La Grave is a possibility if your crew fancy something much gnarlier and off piste....sunny, clear visibility day strongly recommended.
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